Courtney Coke traveled alone through 10 states, spent two years in jail and was kicked out of his home all before turning 19.

He has sparse belongings – a winter coat, torn jeans and a little food. Born in Georgia, Coke now lives in Brockton’s Tent City, an encampment set up near abandoned railroad tracks and within sight of City Hall.

Through it all, Coke has always carried two things: his Bible and a sense of hope.

“My faith is what has kept me alive,” said Coke. “It’s God’s plan I guess, to go through some trials and tribulations.”

Tent City is located in a wooded area behind North Montello, Elliot and North Cary streets. In summer and early fall, many homeless people decide to take their chances camping outdoors to escape overcrowded shelters. Like Coke, each of these men and and women has a story to tell. The stories all echo a similar theme: the need for help for the homeless in Brockton is growing every day.

Father Bill’s and MainSpring provides emergency shelter for residents of both Brockton and Quincy. MainSpring House in Brockton is funded for 51 beds.

“We haven’t seen an increase in funding in 17 years,” said John Yazwinski, president and CEO of Father Bill’s and MainSpring. “We don’t turn people away, so that’s a constant struggle.”

It is lack of space at Mainspring House that motivates people to live outdoors when they can.

“We’ve got so many guys living in one space, it can get too snug. They want the freedom,” said Sharon Williams, a street outreach worker for the shelter.

Williams was hired because of her ability to tactfully reach out to people still living on the street, or in encampments like Tent City. “I try to touch them right where they’re at, little steps of engaging them and gaining trust,” said Williams. “Then we have their confidence, and we can meet and work forward.”

Other programs at MainSpring House include “Work Express,” which aims to help people gain job skills and stability. MainSpring also offers long-term housing for those who are chronically homeless.

For those looking to help, Yazwinski recommends volunteering: cooking meals or stocking items at distribution centers.

According to Lt. Paul Bonanca, spokesman for the Brockton Police Department, disturbances at Tent City are less of a problem today than they have been in the past. The encampment is located on land owned by the Consolidated Railroad Corp., according to the Brockton Office of Assessors. The railroad company has had possession of the 30.83 acres since 1978.

If Coke manages to escape Tent City, he has big dreams.

“I want to work in teen enrichment, talking to teens, trying to make a difference in their lives and make a change,” he said.